The city's minimum temperature dropped to 1.5 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, witnessed after seven years. The maximum however climbed to 8.5 degrees from 6.1, which was recorded on Monday.
Interestingly, Shimla, the Queen of Hills, recorded a maximum of 11.1 degrees and a low of .4
degrees.

However, city residents can expect respite from algid weather as experts predicted an improvement in the situation in the coming days.

On Monday, the city had created history by recording maximum and minimum temperatures of 6.1 and 2.1 degrees, which were 15 and 3 degrees below normal, respectively.

"The minimum temperature dipped further as cold winds continued to blow, combined with foggy conditions. North-westerly icy winds blowing at a speed of 5-9 kmph across the city are one the reasons for plummeting temperature and foggy weather conditions. However, the weather is likely to improve in the next few days," said Surinder Paul, director, metreological centre, Chandigarh.

Much to the relief of city residents, there was a let-up in the foggy weather as visibility improved on Tuesday as compared to the previous day, recording a visibility of 350 metres at 8:30am and 750 metres at 11:30am. Temperatures also rose around noon after sun broke through the clouds.

The met department has predicted that cold to severe cold wave conditions prevailing at present would continue in Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours but improve thereafter. Temperatures are expected to rise from Wednesday onwards.

"The prevailing foggy conditions will abate in Chandigarh and two neighbouring states after 24-36 hours, leading to rise in day and night temperatures by 2-3 degrees. North-westerly winds are expected to die down over the region from Tuesday onwards," added Paul.

"The last two nights were extremely cold and I feel that with the sun breaking through clouds on Tuesday afternoon, the temperatures will come under control. But who knows when the icy cold winds will begin to blow again. It is really difficult for us since we live on the top floor and the cold wave is affecting us more," rued Vinder Kaur, a resident of Sector 50.